Laird's Bluetooth 5 Series Delivers 4x Range, 2x Data Throughput

July 2, 2018

Laird has launched its new Bluetooth 5 series enabling performance improvements of up to 4x in range and 2x in data throughput and opening new product opportunities for industrial, medical and IoT applications.

In addition to the Bluetooth 5's stand-out features of enhanced data rates and range, the BL654 integrates Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) mesh capabilities in a high Tx power platform, providing innovative new application possibilities for low power, long range mesh sensor networks.

Laird's new BL654 series builds upon its field-proven BL600 and BL652 series, reducing the engineering burden and design risk and speeding time-to-market when integrating BLE, Thread (802.15.4) and NFC capabilities into OEM designs.

Based on Nordic Semiconductor nRF52840 silicon, the BL654 ultra-small modules, development kits and USB-packaged adapter provide a secure, robust, multi-wireless plus Cortex-M4F MCU platform for any product design. The BL654 delivers maximum development flexibility with programming options for the Nordic SDK in C; a simple, intuitive AT command set; and Laird’s smartBASIC event-driven programming environment.

Laird’s smartBASIC is a proven event-driven programming language that makes integration easier for designers, especially those who may be new to Bluetooth wireless technology. The programming language offers built-in functions that replace thousands of lines of C code and allows designers to leverage Laird's years of Bluetooth expertise. It also acts as a bridge between software and hardware, allowing an application to work on any smartBASIC radio.

The BL654 family has robust security, an industrial temperature rating, a tiny footprint — as small as 15 mm x 10 mm — and modular FCC, IC, CE, MIC, RCM and Bluetooth SIG approvals, which extend to an OEM’s design with no new testing, for the fastest route to production.

The BL654 is well-suited for the IoT, where many companies may not have any background in RF design or BLE wireless technology. Using the BL654, designers will be able to access the latest market-leading wireless technology without the steep learning curve, design risk and time that it will typically involve.

“Our BL654 family of modules, adapters and development kits enables OEMs to drive their entire product development from a single, integrated multi-wireless MCU core platform with multiple software development environments that the engineer can pick to best serve their needs. As a trusted partner, Laird is at the forefront of developing BLE solutions. The BL654 was designed with our customers in mind, enabling further progress into IoT enablement, such as industrial and commercial applications, where the extended range and capabilities of Bluetooth 5 are needed.” — Laird senior vice president Scott Lordo.

The BL654 Series is now available through Laird’s authorized distributors.